The Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific fixture between the Fijian Drua and the Highlanders at Four R Stadium, Govind Park in Ba will now kick off at 4pm, 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled, organisers confirmed on Thursday. The adjustment, made at the request of the Drua, is intended to avoid known limitations with the venue’s floodlighting and to ensure the match is played largely in daylight for the benefit of fans and broadcasters.
Fijian Drua chief executive Jeff Miller said the club approached Super Rugby Pacific seeking the change after concerns about reduced visibility at dusk were raised following a recent match. “We approached Super Rugby Pacific with a request to move the game forward by at least half an hour. Those who attended the Drua versus Western Force match in Lautoka would have noticed how dark it became between 5.30pm and 6.30pm,” Miller said. “So we asked for the earlier kickoff to ensure the entire game can be played in daylight.”
Organisers said the 4pm start was agreed to enhance the in-stadium experience and improve broadcast quality, given the stadium’s floodlight limitations. The move is intended to minimise any disruption to play that can arise when fixtures extend into fading light, which can affect player safety, official decision-making and television coverage.
The change is the latest scheduling tweak in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific calendar to respond to local conditions and infrastructure constraints. Super Rugby Pacific has previously adjusted kick-off times at venues across the region to accommodate travel, weather and local facilities; the Drua’s request was approved after consultation between the club and tournament organisers.
Fans planning to attend the Round 12 clash are advised to take note of the new start time. Broadcasters carrying the match have also been notified of the revised slot to ensure live transmission quality is preserved. The 30-minute shift does not affect the fixture venue or opponent, with the Drua hosting the Highlanders at Four R Stadium as scheduled.
The decision highlights ongoing questions about stadium infrastructure in Fiji’s provincial venues as Super Rugby Pacific continues to spread fixtures beyond traditional metropolitan grounds. For now, the earlier kick-off aims to deliver a full, daylight match for supporters in Ba and viewers tuning in across the region.
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